TRAFFIC ISLANDS.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20899, 5 July 1933, Page 7

TRAFFIC ISLANDS.

1 USE IN CONTROL OF | » VEHICLES. | i ASSISTANCE FOR PEDESTRIANS, j Traflic islands, placed with due regard to the nature of the streets and the traffic- using them, are of great help in keeping vehicles to the correct side of the road and in the general control of traflic. This *-$•- the opinion of those who have studied the problems of traffic control both in New Zealand and in other countries. As well as {/aiding traffic the islands are in most cases also of considerable benefit in that they provide a place of safety where pedestrians may wait until they can safely cross the streets. Because of the differences in the widths of streets, and the varying angles at which thsy meet, traffic islands can not be laid down without considerable study and thought. Each island in every town presents its own particular problem. Three in Christchurch. ' In Christchurch there are at present three of these aids to traffic, and another is to be put down shortly. One of these, that at the west end of Bealey avenue, is not a traffic island in the generally accepted sense as pedestrians may not walk or wait on it except in cases of emergency, but by confining traffic to the correct side of the road it assists those walking across that part of the avenue. The first traffic island to be made in Christchurch was in Moorhouse avenue ' by the railway station. That was put down about 15 years ago, and ever since has proved its usefulness. Ten or 11 years ago the next island was made in Cathedral square alongside the tram tracks, and is now better known as the safety zone. It also has proved of great benefit to pedestrians and tram passengers. Four years ago there was a suggestion that some small islands should be placed in the city streets, but this was not carried out. In Bealey Avenue. * Recently representations were made to the City Council that something could be done to provide more protection for Dedestrians near the Carlton Mill bridge. There was a big open space at the junction of Bealey avenue, Harper avenue, Carlton Mill road, and Park terrace. Flower beds, with concrete kerbs, were made on either |: side of the tram lines, and at the ! same time the size of the original j grass plot at the end of Park terj. race was reduced and a kerb put round it. The idea of this was to keep traffic turning into Bealey avenue from Park terrace, Victoria street, Harper avenue, and Carlton Mill road on the correct side. There is a hanging light over the east end of the plots and a lamp standard at the west end. Red reflectors Jxfve been put into the kerbing at ends, and in the side of the :i kerbing opposite the end of Dublin street. It is claimed that on a clear night in a car with properly adjusted lights, these reflectors can be picked up four chains away. This distance would, of course, be reduced in fogs, but motorists usually drive more slowly in such conditions. Occasionally car tracks are seen across the plots, and one motorist apparently drove right over them from one end to the other. It is thought that this was done deliberately by some person who did not agree with the policy of the council .in laying down the plots. A safety zone in Oxford terrace near the Bridge of Remembrance has been marked with white lines for some years. It has now been decided to make this into a traffic island with a maximum height of six inches. This will be done soon. A horse trough and a telephone cabinet in Oxford terrace do not leave room for cars to pass on the east side of the proposed island, so to make sure that cars turning .- to the right from Cashel street into Oxford terrace will pass to the left IB' of the island, a traffic dome will ■i< be placed opposite the end of Cashel T street.